Parliament pledges complete rights to minorities

JAVAID-UR-RAHMAN & IMRAN MUKHTAR ISLAMABAD - The parliament on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution pledging complete citizenship rights to the member of minority communities as desired by the nation’s Founding Father Quaid-e-Azam Muahmmad Ali Jinnah.Both houses of the parliament on occasion of the Minorities Day expressed the resolve to continue playing role for upholding the rights of minorities .“The historic speech of the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 11th August 1947 will be taken as a roadmap for the development and bright future of the country,” says the resolution moved by Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael in both the houses.The house paid tributes to the patriotic minority members who sacrificed their lives in war against terror. It also praised services of minorities in different fields particularly in education and health sectors.Speaking on the motion moved by MNA Munaza Hassan to form a commission on minorities , Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah said that PPP always supported the rights of minorities . “Although we were in favour of increasing the seats of minorities in the house but bill could not sail through,” he said, adding, that PPP government had taken a number of steps for the welfare and protection of the rights of minorities .PPP MNA Nafeesa Shah said the historic speech of the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah should also be included in syllabus. Another lawmaker Lal Chand said that government should hold a meeting with lawmakers from minorities about national commission on minorities . Aasia Nasir representing minorities from JUI-F said that national commission on minorities had been formed with representation of all the parties. “This commission is functional and working with smooth pace,” she added.Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael also supported Aasia Nasir, saying that three meetings of this commission had also been held.The members stressed the need for resolving the problems being faced by the minorities . They also congratulated the government for observing the 11th August as Minorities’ Day. The issues of forced conversion, forced marriages etc were also raised.Meanwhile, Senator Sassi Palejo in Senate, congratulating minorities on the day, urged the need to implement certain articles of the Constitution that ensure right of the minorities . She also paid tribute to former governor Salman Taseer ad former federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti, what she said both killed for raising voice for the minorities . She also condemned the forces that wanted to damage Quaid’s vision of welfare state for Pakistan.